I first saw one when I was about 15. I was staying the night at my paternal uncles house. I had never met my paternal grandfather or seen pictures of him. I saw something in the bedroom that night, described him to my aunt and uncle---the description was that of my grandfather.
The next time I saw one, it was when I was married. This one, a female, visited several times. I would freeze up, couldn't speak or move. My grandmother told me "she" was there for a reason and I needed to "accept" her as being there and to not be afraid. The next time I saw her, I made myself move...she then left, never to be seen again...about a year later, I successfully gave birth to my oldest son after 7 years of trying to have a child (1 miscarriage and 1 stillbirth). I don't perceive seeing them as a bad thing.
My grandma said "she" was my mom, looking out for me.
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